House & Family History: During the ownership of the 1st Marquess of Crewe in the late 19th century, Fryston Hall hosted many of society's leaders, including Prime Minister Disraeli, who was a frequent guest. Just before the outbreak of World War I, Fryston was sold for use as a mental asylym, a purpose it never served. The house was demolished in 1931 and its stone used for the construction of the nearby Church of the Holy Cross, Airedale. The site of the house is today occupied by Ferrybridge Power Station. Ann Thwaite, a biographer of Frances Hodgson Burnett, believed that, while Burnett's large garden at Great Maytham Hall was instrumental in creation of the concept of 1911's "The Secret Garden," the location of the novel's imaginary Misselthwaite Manor was likely the windswept Yorkshire moors of the Brontes. Thwiate specifically posited that Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel, "Jane Eyre," parallels the main story line of "The Secret Garden"—both heroines were orphans who were sent to large, scary mansions whose masters were largely absent. Fryston Hall may have played a part in the creation of Burnett's most famous work, as it is the only Yorkshire country house that the author is known to have visited.

Collections: "Charlotte, Lady Milnes," by George Romney, 1788-92 (see "Images" section), once in the collection at Fryston Hall, is today in The Frick Collection.

House Listed: Demolished

Park Listed: Destroyed

Past Seat / Home of: Crowles family, 18th century. Richard Slater Milnes, late 18th century; Robert Pemberton Milnes, 19th century; Richard Monckton Milnes, 1st Baron Houghton, 19th century; Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, 1st Earl of Crewe and 1st Marquess of Crewe, late 19th-early 20th centuries.

Current Ownership Type: Demolished

Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No